Representative-elect Trey Wharton discusses property tax relief, infrastructure, and district concerns in Huntsville.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Trey Wharton, representative-elect for Texas House District 12, addressed the Huntsville Rotary Club on January 8, 2025, outlining his legislative priorities and sharing insights from his extensive outreach efforts across the district.
A lifelong Huntsville resident, Wharton graduated from Huntsville High School and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Texas Christian University. After beginning his career in banking, he transitioned into the insurance industry, founding the Wharton Insurance Network in 1991. Over the past three decades, his agency has built a reputation for providing personalized service to clients across Huntsville and beyond. Wharton credits his business experience with giving him a deep understanding of financial management, customer service, and problem-solving—skills he plans to bring to his role as a legislator.
In addition to his business career, Wharton has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, including his tenure as President of the Huntsville Independent School District Board of Trustees and leadership roles with the Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce.
During his address, Wharton highlighted the extensive travel and effort he has invested in understanding the needs of his district’s six counties. “I’ve put over 37,000 miles on my truck campaigning,” he said, emphasizing his dedication to meeting constituents and listening to their concerns.
One of the pressing issues Wharton addressed was property tax relief, a topic he and many of his colleagues campaigned on. “I know a lot of us ran on that,” he noted. He shared that discussions in Austin include increasing exemption amounts, capping annual property valuation increases, and exploring other solutions to reduce the tax burden. “The formula needs to be changed, and we need to get some relief on that,” he said, adding that tackling the issue in smaller steps might be more effective. “If they do it in pieces, you can kind of go back and fix what you did wrong.”
Wharton also discussed the proposed high-speed rail project that would cut through Grimes County, expressing significant concerns about its impact. “It could destroy Grimes County,” he said, citing potential delays in emergency response times and harm to farmland. “Why are we going to tear up the farmland we have with the high-speed rail? Put it down I-45.”
He emphasized that transportation, water infrastructure, and emergency management are key priorities for the district, especially given the rapid population growth along major highways like I-45, Highway 6, and 290. “We see the explosion coming straight up from Houston,” Wharton said. “We need to work together to ensure we don’t lose the character of our communities while addressing these challenges.”
Wharton has assembled an experienced team to support his efforts in Austin, including a chief of staff and constituent services specialists with extensive legislative backgrounds. “I don’t need somebody green with me; I’m trying to be as effective as possible as fast as possible,” he explained, underscoring the importance of hitting the ground running in his first term.
When asked about higher education, an audience member highlighted concerns regarding faculty governance and potential state oversight. Wharton acknowledged the significance of these institutions, which include Sam Houston State University and Blinn College, both located in his district. He noted he has already met with leaders from both schools and expressed his intent to remain engaged on education-related issues as they arise.
Wharton will officially take office on January 14, 2025, succeeding Republican Kyle Kacal. House District 12 encompasses Grimes, Madison, Robertson, Walker, and Washington counties, as well as part of Brazos County. His extensive local involvement, entrepreneurial experience, and practical approach to complex issues highlight his commitment to representing the interests of his constituents in the Texas Legislature.
